Covering insurance: Resources and sources

Firefighters work to put out a warehouse fire at Naval Station Norfolk. Photo: Brien Aho

The good news about the insurance beat is that there are many sources of information among regulators, industry groups, consumer groups, ratings agencies, researchers and trade publications.

You don’t have to decipher rate filings or market-conduct exams alone. However, be aware of the biases that each party might bring to bear on an issue and seek multiple interpretations on contentious topics. Here are some of those sources, including contact information for many:

REGULATORY

National Association of Insurance Commissioners, nonprofit organization of state insurance regulators. Acts as a national repository of state insurance financial filings, publishes detailed industry statistics, and with input from those regulated, drafts model laws and regulations. State regulators and staff constitute myriad task forces and work groups with NAIC staff assistance, marked by quarterly meetings and monthly dial-in “chorus calls.” Public access sites provide basic insurance financial status and complaint reports and pay-for-view detailed financial reports. Media may have access to documents, reports and chorus calls. Some NAIC meetings remain closed. Executive director Terri Vaughan, 202-471-3990. State commissioners take turns on board. Communications division 816-783.8909 and news@naic.org.

InsData, NAIC’s pay-for-view access to detailed annual and quarterly financial filings of state-regulated insurers. Prices range from $10 to $30 per document, but the NAIC media affairs office will sometimes waive charges. The first five are free with a new registration.

STATE REGULATORS National Council of Insurance Legislators, nonprofit policy group through which state legislators on insurance-related committees draft model legislation, take positions on national policy. Executive director Susan Nolan, 518-687-0178 or byinfo@ncoil.org; Washington office 202-220-3014

Insurance Information Institute, insurance industry-funded organization produces white papers on issues and publications, as well as a media guide. The III also privately drafts talking points and strategy plans for the industry. President Robert Hartwig. On Twitter @iiiorg. National press office in New York, Loretta Worters 212- 346-5500 or media@iii.org. Florida media contact Lynne McChristian at 813-480-6446 or atlynnem@iii.org; Regional media contact Bill Davis by cell 770-331-9279 or at billjoe@bellsouth.net.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Virginia-based research organization funded by auto insurance companies, focused on reducing losses in lives and insured property from crashes on national highways. Affiliate the Highway Loss Data Institute conducts research using access to industry data. Communications Vice President Russ Rader at 703-247-1500 or rrader@iihs.org.

Insurance Services Office, trade bureau through which insurance companies share claims and loss data, which ISO uses to create actuarial-rating tables for use in rate filings, policy forms and underwriting guidelines. Also a source of statistics, research and analysis about the insurance industry. Assistant Vice President for Financial Analysis Michael R. Murray, 210-469-2339; Outside media handled by MMM Group’s Susan Kenney and Jessica Riccardi, 201-507-9500 or skenney@mww.com orjriccardi@mww.com.

National Association of Mutual Insurance Cos., based in Indiana, represents policyholder-owned mutuals such as State Farm. State media contact Lisa Floreancig in Indianapolis at 317-875-5250 or federal media contact Matt Brady in Washington 202-628-1558.

Risk and Insurance Management Society, daily risk, insurance and benefits news, searchable databases, legislative updates, professional advancement, student center, public record searches for risk managers. Based in New York, 212-286-9292.

Reinsurance Association of America, trade and advocacy organization for reinsurers and brokers that underwrite the insurance risks in the United States. International membership includes Munich Re of Germany and Renaissance Re of Bermuda. General media inquiries: Barbara Carroll, 202-783-8390 or carroll@reinsurance.org.

Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, represents reinsurers and insurers based in Bermuda but mostly doing business in the United States. New York contact Brad Kading, president and executive director, 202-783-2434. Shares New York address of Reinsurance Association of America.

RATINGS AGENCIES

A.M. Best Co., provides easy access to look up the financial rating of insurers, get basic information on the company, and most importantly, find the rating analyst who knows the inside scoop. Media contact Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644, orjames.peavy@ambest.com.